Thorpe Acquires Empire Refractory Specialists, Inc. (Birmingham, AL)

Thorpe Acquires Empire Refractory Specialists, Inc. (Birmingham, AL)

HOUSTON, January 1, 2013 – Thorpe Specialty Services Corporation is pleased to announce the acquisition of all of the assets and business of Hueytown (Birmingham), Alabama-based Empire Refractory Specialists, Inc. (“Empire”). The management, project staff, superintendents and all employees of Empire are being retained and the business unit will operate as Thorpe Plant Services, Inc. out of its existing facilities at 1273 24th Avenue, Hueytown, AL 35023. Mr. David Hampton will serve as Manager of the Birmingham Branch.

Thorpe Plant Services is a subsidiary of Thorpe Specialty Services Corporation (“THORPE”), headquartered in Houston, Texas and a portfolio company of the CapStreet Group. THORPE and its affiliates provide products and specialty service for the design, fabrication, installation and maintenance of refractory and acid-resistant lining systems and other heat processing equipment throughout the United States and the world. THORPE serves a diverse customer base operating in the refining, petrochemical, steel, alumina, utility, coke calcining and waste incineration industries among others, and has branch offices in Houston and Beaumont, Texas, Gonzales, Louisiana, and now Birmingham, Alabama.

The acquisition of Empire strategically expands THORPE’s engineering, refractory and specialty services into the lime, cement, pulp/paper and steel dust recycling industries in the Birmingham region. Further, this acquisition brings additional Brokk demolition equipment and operator capacity to the Thorpe service offering.

In addition to continuing Empire’s long-standing commitment to quality products and excellent customer service, THORPE will provide additional resources for growth and enhanced project support. We are excited about the business development opportunities this strategic acquisition will afford.

Thank you for your past support of Empire. THORPE appreciates the opportunity to continue this valuable relationship by providing the same high level of competitive products and services that you have come to expect from Empire.